200 pellets in body, partial vision loss: Labourer Habib fears for family’s future    

Md Habib Khan, who has over 200 pellets in his body and is now blind in his right eye due to a gunshot wound, is deeply concerned about how he will now manage his family's expenses. 

Habib, a sanitary worker, was shot on 19 July while on his way to collect his wages in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. 

On that day, students across the country, including those in Mohammadpur, were staging protests for quota reforms under a "complete shutdown" campaign.

Photo: Collected

Talking to The Business Standard on 20 August, 30-year-old Habib shared his ordeal. 

"I went to Chandmia Housing on Road 1 in Mohammadpur around 4:30pm on 19 July to collect payment for a job I had completed earlier. I was accompanied by two other workers. At that time, there was heavy police firing in the area, with clashes between the police and the protesters," he said.

Habib recounted that when the police started shooting, the other workers ran away, but he raised his hand and pleaded that he was not part of the protest. Despite his plea, the police shot him.

After being shot, Habib's fellow workers rushed him to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College (ShSMC), where he remained for six days. 

However, he said, "I did not receive adequate treatment at the hospital. After six days, my condition worsened due to the injury to my right eye. Later, I was transferred to the National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) in Agargaon, where I underwent eye surgery. But even after the surgery, I still cannot see."

Habib stayed at the Ophthalmology institute for four days but felt that he was not receiving proper treatment, so he left the hospital. An X-ray report from the hospital shows numerous pellets still lodged in his body.

"The doctors said there are about 200 pellets in my body now. They removed 4-5 pellets from my head. The doctors advised against further surgery to remove the remaining pellets, as it would require extensive cutting of the body. They said it would be better to leave the pellets inside, though I will experience pain for about six months," Habib explained.

Unable to get proper eye treatment at a government hospital, Habib sought help at private hospitals. He borrowed money for treatment at Harun Eye Foundation Hospital and another private hospital in Mohammadpur. 

In a month, he has spent nearly Tk65,000 on treatment. The doctors informed him that if an artificial lens is implanted in his right eye, he might regain vision, but the procedure will cost approximately Tk1 lakh. Due to a lack of funds, Habib is currently unable to undergo the treatment.

Habib, originally from Kathaltali in Barguna, has been living in a rented tin-shed house in Mohammadpur for nearly 12 years. His monthly house rent is Tk4,500. 

His 12-year-old daughter is in the eighth grade at a local school, and her monthly expenses, including private tuition fees, amount to Tk2,000. His 4-year-old son has yet to start school. 

The family relied entirely on Habib's income, but now he is worried about how they will survive.

"As a sanitary worker, I used to earn Tk700 daily, and when I did garbage disposal work, I earned Tk900. But now, I can't see with one eye and am unable to work. Today, I borrowed Tk200 from someone just to buy food for the family," Habib lamented.

"My son told me, 'Father, people don't treat us as well as they used to.' Hearing this made me feel terrible. I told him, 'Son, I have Tk100. You and your sister can buy something to eat with it.' My son took Tk50 and gave me the remaining Tk50, saying, 'You eat something with this.' After that, I cried a lot," Habib shared.

"I don't know what will happen to me or how I'll manage the household expenses. Today, the landlord sent someone to collect the rent, but I couldn't pay it. In this situation, I appeal to the government to arrange proper treatment for me. If I cannot work, my family will starve," he added.